It even seemed a little silly for the Cup defenders to keep the open "secret" of their five challengers until the date of the press conference on 9 September in London. And so Team Oracle Team USA officially announced its future opponents in a press release on Thursday, confirming the five syndicates long known to sailing fans around the world: the Swedish team Artemis Racing, the British team Ben Ainslie Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, the Italian Luna Rossa Challenge and Team France.
In a brief statement, skipper Jimmy Spithill said for the defenders: "We are facing five strong challengers with plenty of options, talent and experience. But our team is very competitive. We love a challenge. The bigger they are, the better. It's very easy to motivate yourself when you know who you're up against."
The 35th America's Cup will begin in 2015 and 2016 with the America's Cup World Series, which will be held in various locations around the world. The organisers have so far failed to provide more detailed information on the venues. In the main regattas in 2017, the fleet of challengers will then be rejuvenated down to the winner, who will be able to invite the American Cup defenders to the 35th Cup duel.
The participating teams will have the opportunity to take part in an America's Cup World Series regatta in an area of their choice. The America's Cup match is to be held either off San Diego or in Bermuda's waters. The decision on this point is also still pending. The press release explicitly states that the rules also allow for late entries. This leaves a back door open for the defenders to accept further challengers at a later date.
The challengers have their say in the press release with some pithy declarations of intent:
Iain Percy (Artemis Racing): "We are not just taking part in this competition to win the 35th America's Cup. We want to dominate the America's Cup arena for the next decade. I am also a passionate advocate of the view that Artemis Racing is about more than just winning. It's about leaving a legacy. Winning is one way."
Ben Ainslie (Ben Ainslie Racing): "We are delighted that the Royal Yacht Squadron's challenge for the 35th America's Cup has been officially accepted. The roots of the America's Cup lie in the Squadron. Our aim is to bring the Cup back to where it belongs."
Dean Barker (Emirates Team New Zealand): "New Zealand has a long and proud history in the America's Cup. We can now see the outlines of a strong opposition in the 35th America's Cup beginning to emerge. We have no illusions about the task ahead of us. We have been working quietly behind the scenes towards this day almost since the last day of the 34th America's Cup. But the real work starts now."
Max Sirena (Luna Rossa Challenge): "Luna Rossa's fifth challenge lies ahead of us. This is a historic record. It not only emphasises our team's commitment to the America's Cup, but also our determination to bring the trophy to Italy."
Franck Cammas (Team France): "Team France is very proud to be the challenger in the 35th America's Cup. We have taken the first step in what we know will be a very difficult journey. With Olivier Kersauson, Michel Desjoyeaux and our team, we are determined to represent France at the highest level from a sporting and technological point of view. I would like to thank all our partners and supporters: without you, we wouldn't even have the start of our journey in sight. Not to mention the road ahead of us."
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
